Used Toyota RAV4 2013-2019 reliability review
The Toyota RAV4 is a decent large SUV, but others are better to drive and offer more for your money
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What's the used Toyota RAV4 like?
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Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 3 December 2019
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What should I look for in a used Toyota RAV4?
There's a chance that your RAV4 may have been taken off-road at some stage, so check for any damage to the front spoiler and underside and for stone chips and cracks along the door sills. It’s a fairly large car, so check right around the bodywork for scuffs, particularly because most examples came without parking sensors. Inspect the alloy wheels for any signs of kerb damage, too.
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What are the most common problems with a used Toyota RAV4?
Emergency calling system
The emergency calling system might not have been enabled at the factory on some cars made between 31 October 2018 and 6 April 2019. Any Toyota dealer will be able to activate it for you.
Fuel leak
Certain RAV4s built between 5 October 2015 and 4 April 2017 could suffer from a fuel leak. Contact a dealer to find out if your car is affected, because they'll need to inspect the low pressure return hose if it is and replace it if required.
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Fuel injectors
The fuel injectors on some examples constructed between 8 October 2015 and 13 December 2017 may not have been tightened correctly. Find out if your car is affected by this recall by speaking to a dealer.
Exhaust bolts
There has been a problem identified with some of the exhaust bolts used on some 2.0-litre diesel models assembled between 8 October 2015 and 13 December 2017. Find out from a dealer if your car is affected, because it will need to be inspected if it is.
Is a used Toyota RAV4 reliable?
Toyota as a brand finished a brilliant third out of 3o manufacturers in our most recent survey of the most reliable used car brands, and the RAV4 did even better in the most reliable used large SUV class by taking overall honours out of 18 entrants.
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About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
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